ALK expands in France and introduces new, improved SLIT product

ALK, the world leader in allergy immunotherapy, invests 18 million EUR in expansion of production facilities in France. The expansion will support an increasing demand for ALK´s existing products in France and facilitate the introduction of a new, improved European drop based SLIT product.

Today, ALK announces that it has decided to invest in expanding the existing production facilities in France to support an increasing demand for ALK´s existing products in the French allergy immunotherapy market which is the second-largest market in Europe and one that has become increasingly important to ALK.

The expansion in France will furthermore support the introduction of a new, improved sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) product called SLIToneULTRA®. The new SLIT product upgrades and consolidates ALK's drop based product portfolio. The product will initially be introduced as a so-called named patient product and is expected to be launched in a series of European countries outside France. SLIToneULTRA® will have several distinct improvements over existing therapies and will cover the most relevant allergies. The product is expected to further strengthen ALK's market position in Europe. The expanded facilities in France will become ALK's centre of excellence for the sublingual product supply, including that of SLIToneULTRA®.

"We have been present in France since 2005 and are very pleased with the market development. To reinforce our growth opportunities and profitability, we have decided to invest further in serving this important market and at the same time to consolidate our European drop based SLIT production. The investment highlights our long term commitment to further develop allergy immunotherapy to the benefits of the many allergy sufferers" says President and CEO at ALK, Jens Bager.

The investment of 18 million EUR is expected to be completed by 2014. In 2012, ALK consequently expects an increased level of capital expenditure, however, the decision does not change ALK's financial outlook for 2012. ALK continues to expect total revenue of up to DKK 2.4 billion and operating profit (EBITDA) to exceed DKK 300 million.